Henry Howard Molyneux Herbert Carnarvon, 4th earl of

Carnarvon, Henry Howard Molyneux Herbert, 4th earl of, 1831–90, British statesman. As colonial secretary (1866–67) under the earl of Derby he introduced the British North America Act, which made Canada a confederation. In the same office (1874–78) under Disraeli he was unsuccessful in an attempt to create a federation in South Africa. His policy as lord lieutenant of Ireland (1885–86) was conciliatory but failed to stem Irish nationalism.